Scramble to Sumala by brewgirlca
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Description
Arthur asked if I got any road shots on my way to Sumala Monastery. Well, no Arthur, not the road itself, because there was only one place where we stopped. Every other vehicle on the road was there too, to let everyone have a breather and get that classic Sumala shot. But how about the end of the road? Here are the remnants of the old road, where the tires stopped rolling and the feet and lungs started pounding.
If you look at my previous image on the left hand side between where the trees end and the cliff begins, this is where we are now. Not much room to maneuver. Remember what I said about no guard rails in Turkey? Well look to the right and you can see I lied because there is one, and it's on the edge of a few hundred meters drop. Not that this guard rail is gonna do you much good except to remind you of the sheer drop to your right! Our guide was putting more faith on the rail than I would, but I guess he should know.
It had rained that morning and so much of lower part of the trail through the forest was nice and mucky. It looked like a bit of a slog and I was glad I had put on my light hikers that day and not my sandals. Although it made the trail rather treacherous, this was also good news for those of us determined to make the trek; it weeded out those tourists who were less prepared. Though remote, Sumala is too famous to be ignored and so it can become rather crowded. Travelling in the off season helped keep the crowds down and the seemingly rotten hiking conditions took a further toal on the weak kneed and faint of heart.
Here our small determined group is just making a break out of the dark, wet spruce forest. For our efforts we were rewarded with a big break in the clouds which quickly dried up the stone based trail. Though now drier the road ahead had not yet given up her challenges; as you shall see.
Previous Sumala
"Sumala Monastery"
"Sumala Monastery"
Comments (22)
Faemike55
Very cool capture and captivating story... I cannot wait for the next installment!!!!
adorety
When I zoom I can see the sheerness just beyond the person on the rail. And you are hundreds of feet up. Exciting! I love a good trek when the tourists are sparse and I'm betting the reward at the end is more than worth it. Nice shot.
magnus073
This really is an amazing capture, Roxy. Thank you so much for the detailed background behind the image.
Tracesl
excellent
ronmolina
Beautiful shot and interesting commentary.
eekdog Online Now!
as much as i smoke that healthy hike would kill me. cool shot and love it on zoom Roxy.
whaleman
Very nice shot! The road is now beyond my capabilities unless I had hours!
alanwilliams
if ever a picture denoted effort this is it, a wonderful journey ensues
mtdana
I like how the lighting creates a vignette and how the image puts you in amongst the group on this tough trail – I’m glad you decided to make the trek for us ;) Great capture !!!
photosynthesis
Excellent, love the b&w treatment & the shadows, which give it a kind of nostalgic adventurous look - like a 19th century expedition into exotic, unexplored territories...
sharky_
Outstanding shot. Aloha
3dpoetry
Awesome capture
chaylastorm
You must have had a fantastic trip.. A once in a life-time :)
tommorules
Imagine how the builders must have felt! Lovely shot.
vaggabondd
very nice capture my friend :)
Chipka
Oooh, I like this. I like a good hike up flagstone stairs near a sheer drop! It's such a nice experience, and I'm quite accustomed to the absence of guard rails (even when they're there) and I have a few interesting stories involving a particularly slippery set of stairs (in a cellar bar in Prague) and a guy falling just right down the stairs so that his drink didn't spill. I think he was an old pro, or just knew how to fall when a cellar started sweating. And though none of that has anything to do with this image, I love the way this image brought all of that to mind. I'd love to see Turkey, one day, but then there are so many places I need to see (and return to) and I hope to get around to it. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy your travels. I love the sense of place in this photo.
pat40
Brilliant pic.
tennesseecowgirl
Nice work on this Roxy
RodS
What amazing places you're seeing, Roxy! This is a great shot, and I think the B&W suits it perfectly. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your journey!
Cyve
Fantastic image
FaeMoon
Oh, I bet the view is simply amazing! What a shot, and I love the angle up the path!
evinrude
Nice shot.